LOGINShare
TWENTY-TWO (3): Ambushing Mr. Winters
Last Updated:
2024-11-06 16:45:35Winters Corp. headquarters was a modern masterpiece of steel and glass that towered into the sky, its minimalist design made it stand out confidently among the other buildings in the business district. The sheer size of it made visitors feel small—a clear sign of the power of the man behind it, Andre Winters. The building seemed to say that only those worthy of respect could walk within its walls.
Annabelle felt a thrill pulse through her as she stepped inside. The reception hall was stunning. Light poured in through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, lighting up the polished marble floors and high-end furnishings. To her left was a waiting area furnished with comfortable seating in soft grays and blacks. The Winters logo was etched onto the wall behind the receptionist, sharp and understated—a simple W with a line through it, full of ruthless simplicity.
This time, Annabelle noticed the receptionist’s demeanor had shifted. Gone was the dismissiv
Related chapters
Tangled Destinies TWENTY-TWO (4): Ambushing Mr. Winters
Annabelle crossed the room with steady steps, keeping her face neutral as she met his gaze. But the closer she got, the more she felt that prickling awareness again, the same one she’d felt every time she was near him. She sat down, crossing one leg over the other and folding her hands in her lap."Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Winters," she said, careful to keep her tone level."Of course," he replied, leaning back in his chair. "I must say, I was curious when I heard you were here. I didn’t think I’d see you again so soon after our last conversation.”The corners of his mouth lifted in a faint smile, but his eyes remained unreadable. He was testing her, she realized, waiting to see what angle she would take. Annabelle met his gaze evenly.“I didn’t think so either,” she admitted, “but I couldn’t stay away—not when you gave me that hint about the contract.”He raised an eyebrow
Last Updated : 2024-11-07Tangled Destinies TWENTY TWO (5): Ambushing Mr. Winters
Annabelle was momentarily at a loss, taken aback by his sincerity. But before she could respond, Andre stood and walked toward her, crossing the room with a quiet, powerful intensity. He stopped when he was just inches from her, his presence almost overwhelming as he reached down and traced a finger along her jawline. A shiver ran through her as his eyes bore into hers. His voice softened, but his words were edged with hidden anger. “But you can understand my disappointment in seeing how your family treated her. Now that she’s no longer part of the Robinson name, I have no desire to continue this arrangement. I have no reason to care about your company’s success—or failure.”Annabelle bristled at his words. His dismissal of her family was cutting, even if it was grounded in James’s reckless behavior.His fingers dropped, his eyes hardening. “I’ve heard how James treated her. And I’ve heard how she was discarded, as
Last Updated : 2024-11-08Tangled Destinies TWENTY THREE (1): On Thin Ice
Annabelle gripped the steering wheel as she drove, her mind whirring through her conversation with Andre Winters. She replayed each word, every flicker of expression that had crossed his face, hunting for something she might have missed. The image of his self-assured smirk, his dark eyes glinting with secrets, lingered vividly. But what haunted her most was his revelation about Lila—how he had taken on her father’s company, not because he felt it deserved his business, but simply to make sure Lila would be provided for, hidden under the guise of business.Annabelle’s chest tightened at the thought. This admission alone raised more questions than it answered. Did Lila even know that Andre was looking out for her? Or perhaps… was there history between them that Lila had never mentioned? As much as she tried, Annabelle couldn’t shake the idea that maybe, just maybe, Andre had once been close to Lila, closer than mere friends. If that were true, why
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Tangled Destinies TWENTY-THREE (2): On Thin Ice
Her father’s political career was, she knew, far more at risk than he let on. The media had long awaited any chance to dig into his volatile temper and questionable decisions, and with Andre distancing himself, they would have that opportunity. David would lose, and it would be nothing short of spectacular.Part of her almost wanted to see it happen.But another part, the part that had been raised with a relentless sense of duty to her family’s legacy, steeled her resolve. She had to save the company. If there was any chance of securing Andre’s contract again, she would have to play this carefully.She leaned back against her desk, folding her arms as she eyed her father and brother. “So,” she said coolly, “I assume you’re here to tell me something important.”“He’s pulling out,” James said, breaking the tense silence that followed Annabelle’s question. His voice was low, full of frus
Last Updated : 2024-11-10Tangled Destinies TWENTY-THREE (3): On Thin Ice
As Annabelle spoke, she could see her father’s frustration rising, his temper ready to spill over. But what troubled her more than anything was the way James shrank under their father’s simmering rage, the way his shoulders hunched in defeat. She could feel the familiar tension in the air, the power struggle between her father and brother, one that had been ongoing for years.David didn’t waste any time before turning his fury on James. “You’re useless, James! Utterly useless!” he spat, his words biting through the silence. “How could you let this happen? How could you let Lila slip through our fingers? And you never even bothered to run a proper background check on her?”James flinched, his face pale. He struggled to find his words, his hands twitching at his sides as he stumbled over his answer. “I… of course, I did,” he muttered shakily, his voice betraying his nerves. “The background check cam
Last Updated : 2024-11-11Tangled Destinies TWENTY-FOUR (1): Unexpected Meeting
She needed a moment to herself.Her own office felt like a suffocating cage—tight, oppressive, and full of unresolved tensions. James’ weak explanations, her father’s simmering frustration, and the undercurrent of danger looming over the Winters situation. She needed a space to breathe, a place far from the relentless demands of her family and the suffocating weight of their expectations. She couldn’t go back home just yet—not where her mother would be waiting, looking up to her to solve this mess James had created.With no particular destination in mind, she turned her car toward the outskirts of the city. She drove aimlessly, the city’s buildings blurring past her, until her car stopped at a small sanctuary she knew of: an indoor garden nestled in the heart of the city, hidden away from the prying eyes of the world. The lush greenery and the sweet scent of flowers helped her ground herself in ways she couldn’t explain. It was
Last Updated : 2024-11-12Tangled Destinies TWENTY-FOUR (2): Unexpected Meeting
They found a nearby bench, surrounded by hanging plants and soft sunlight streaming through the glass roof, and settled down. Annabelle felt her tension begin to ease. It wasn’t as if she was unaware of the dangerous position she was in—she couldn’t forget for a second that Andre had the power to crush her family with the flick of his wrist. But for now, in this quiet space, she allowed herself to pretend she lived a much more normal life. She forgot about her father’s frantic desperation and the threat Andre posed. In the bubble of their easy banter, the power dynamics seemed to blur, leaving just two people talking in a quiet garden.The hours seemed to slip by as they talked— business, the weather, small things that made her forget the weight of her responsibilities. Annabelle found herself surprisingly at ease with him.It wasn’t long before she realized that she was enjoying his company. There was an undeniable chemistry between them, something that made her feel
Last Updated : 2024-11-13Tangled Destinies TWENTY-FOUR (3): Unexpected Meeting
Just as Annabelle was about to take a deep breath and relax, Andre reappeared with two mocktails in hand, his expression one of feigned innocence."Here we go," he said, setting the drinks down in front of her. "I thought you might need a little something after that... torturous exchange."Annabelle raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were going to save me."He smirked, the glint in his eye mischievous. "Oh, I was, but I changed my mind. You see, I had to sacrifice you to her. She’s obviously really into me, and I had no choice but to let you face her alone to save myself. But you survived, didn’t you?"For a moment, Annabelle stared at him, not quite understanding. And then, the meaning of his words hit her. Her lips parted in a surprised laugh, the sound bubbling out of her before she could stop it. Andre’s mischievous grin was contagious, and before she knew it, the weight of the day seemed to lift, if only for a moment.As the laugh
Last Updated : 2024-11-14
Latest chapter
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-NINE: Reckless Decisions (2)
Annabelle was the first to pull away, though it took every ounce of willpower she possessed to do so. Her breath came in short, uneven pants, and she could still taste Andre on her lips, still feel the firm press of his body against hers. His hands still rested on her waist, his grip firm, as if he wasn’t quite ready to let go. Maybe that was a hint he thought that she might take back what she'd just done. But Annabelle had no intention of second-guessing herself. Not this time.She placed a hand against his chest, creating a sliver of space between them, but it did nothing to cool the heat simmering in her veins.She swallowed, taking a moment to calm herself before she spoke. “We need to set some ground rules.”Andre’s fingers flexed against her waist, his thumb grazing over the damp fabric of her workout top. “Rules?” he asked. His voice was rougher than usual, less composed. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t secretly delighted in the fact that she had shaken that assured composu
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-NINE: Reckless Decisions (1)
Annabelle pushed herself harder, ignoring the ache in her limbs and the sweat dripping down her back. She had been at the gym for nearly two hours now, punishing her body in an attempt to escape her thoughts. But no matter how fast she ran, no matter how hard she punched the bag, the truth remained: she was dreading going home.How the next few days would play out now after Rachel’s lies had been exposed was at the forefront of her mind. James knew now. Their father knew. And the fallout was only just beginning. She could already picture the tense silences, the barely restrained fury in David’s expression while he decided what to do with Rachel, and James breaking down even further as he digested his new reality. She didn’t want to be around for it.Wiping the sweat from her brow, she debated whether to spend another hour on the treadmill. Maybe if she ran long enough, she would be too exhausted to care about what awaited her back home.Before she could make a decision, a voice cut th
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-EIGHT: Chance Meeting
Annabelle stood in the middle of James’ room, her eyes fixed on the door through which her father had exited moments earlier. The silence that followed his departure stretching uncomfortably as everyone tried to figure out what they were going to do next.James groaned and buried his face in his hands, his fingers tugging at his hair in frustration. “I can’t believe this,” he muttered, his voice laced with disbelief and exhaustion. He pushed himself up from the chair, his movements abrupt, and began pacing the room. The tension radiating off him almost felt tangible, and his muttered curses filled the quiet air as he stalked toward the door.“I need... I need some air,” he said, his tone clipped, as if even forming the words required too much effort. Without waiting for a response, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.Annabelle sighed deeply, running a hand down her face. “What a mess,” she murmured under
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-SEVEN: Can of Worms (3)
The room was thick with silence as Annabelle let James mentally digest the words she had spoken. HE stood frozen, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. It was as if he was searching for words that would not come. His face was pale, as he stuttered incoherently, his words stumbling over one another in a desperate attempt to say anything that would make Annabelle’s reasoning invalid.“You... You couldn’t possibly know that for sure,” he finally managed, his voice trembling. “Infertile? I can’t be.”Before Annabelle could muster a response, the air in the room shifted as a heavy presence made itself known. David’s voice boomed from the doorway, cutting through the tension like a well sharpened blade.“Infertile?” he thundered, the sheer force of his voice making everyone in the room flinch. “What the hell is she talking about, James?”He stormed into the room, his lar
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-SEVEN: Can of Worms (2)
When he finally spoke, his voice was low, almost a whisper. “Who the hell is this?” He turned to Rachel, eyes dark with heartbreak. “Who is this man, Rachel?”Rachel opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her eyes darted frantically between James and Annabelle, her cheeks flushed with panic. She stammered, “James, I—”Annabelle didn’t give her the chance to finish. “His name is Victor Nolls,” she said, her voice hard as steel. “The man Rachel’s been seeing behind your back. And the real father of her child.”The color drained from Rachel’s face at Annabelle’s words, her reaction betraying her before she could deny it. She flinched visibly at Victor’s name, and though she shook her head weakly, her protests were unconvincing.“No, that’s not true!” Rachel finally managed to choke out. “James, I would never—”“Do
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-SEVEN: Can of Worms (1)
The words landed like a thunderclap. The room fell into a stunned silence and James’s rant cut off mid-sentence. His mouth opened and closed as he stared at Annabelle, his fury momentarily giving way to confusion. Rachel, who had been clutching her cheeks and avoiding eye contact, froze completely, her face draining of color.“What are you talking about?” James finally asked, his voice quieter now but still charged.Annabelle turned her gaze to Rachel, her expression cold and unrelenting. “Would you like to tell him, Rachel?” she asked, her tone deceptively calm. “Or should I?”Rachel’s lips trembled, her eyes darting to James and then back to Annabelle. “This is ridiculous,” she said, her voice shaking. “James, she’s lying. She’s just trying to cause trouble.”“Am I?” Annabelle challenged, taking a step closer to her brother. “Do you really think I&rsquo
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-SIX: Liar Liar (4)
Annabelle nodded placidly, her gaze sharp as it swept over the room. She ignored the pang of irritation at James’s obliviousness and focused on her next move. “Where’s Rachel?” she asked, her voice calm but carrying an undertone of steel.James blinked at the shift in her tone. “She went for a walk around the estate. She said it soothes her morning illness,” he said, frowning slightly. “Why?” His eyes darted toward Margaret, who still lingered in the doorway. The sight of their mother’s pale face deepened his frown. “Is there a problem?” he asked again, his tone growing more apprehensive.Margaret hesitated, her hands clasping and unclasping nervously. She managed a weak shake of her head but couldn’t quite muster a convincing smile.Annabelle’s smile thinned further, though her tone remained deceptively light. “No problem,” she said. “But I do have some news of my ow
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-SIX: Liar Liar (3)
Margaret wrung her hands nervously, glancing toward the door as if afraid someone might overhear. “It’s Rachel,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “She made the announcement at breakfast. James, my poor boy, is so happy of course, but your father... He’s furious. He suspects something.”Annabelle snorted, the sound humorless. “Of course he does. He might be blind when it comes to James, but even he knows Rachel’s a liar.” She began pacing the room. “I warned her, Mother. I told her to leave before I got back. And now she pulls this? She’s trying to trap James—again.”Margaret nodded, her face pale. “I know, but—”“But what?” Annabelle snapped, cutting her off. “You know as well as I do that James can’t father a child. So why haven’t you told Father? Why haven’t you put an end to this circus?”Margaret
Tangled Destinies THIRTY-SIX: Liar Liar (2)
Annabelle gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white, her foot pressing harder against the gas pedal with each passing mile. The early morning light bathed the countryside in golden hues, but she barely noticed the scenery rushing past her. Her mind was a storm of fury, her thoughts circling around Rachel like a hawk homing in on its prey.How dare she?Annabelle’s jaw clenched, her teeth grinding audibly as she replayed Margaret’s words in her head. Rachel had blatantly disregarded her warning—no, her command—to leave the house. She had given that third rate nightwalker a clear ultimatum before leaving for Sea’s Edge: pack up and disappear from James’s life before her return. But Rachel had done the opposite. Not only had she stayed, but she’d played a card so bold it made Annabelle’s blood boil.The announcement of a pregnancy, whether it was real or not, was a move designed
